ALTERNATIVE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'alternative' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice , election , option , preference , and selection . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. // equally attractive alternatives

Q: When can 'choice' be used instead of 'alternative'?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

Q: In what contexts can 'election' take the place of 'alternative'?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Q: When is 'option' a more appropriate choice than 'alternative'?

The meanings of option and alternative largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When would 'preference' be a good substitute for 'alternative'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative , preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. // a preference for cool weather

Q: Where would 'selection' be a reasonable alternative to 'alternative'?

The words selection and alternative can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

alternative 1 of 2

noun

Definition of alternative

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alternative

2 of 2

adjective

as in alternate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in nontraditional

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun alternative contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice, election, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When can choice be used instead of alternative?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

In what contexts can election take the place of alternative?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is option a more appropriate choice than alternative?

The meanings of option and alternative largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When would preference be a good substitute for alternative?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

Where would selection be a reasonable alternative to alternative?

The words selection and alternative can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of alternative

Noun

For robot manufacturers, the certification offers an alternative to traditional 2D laser scanners that are widely used for safety. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026 Those filing the lawsuit alleged that the agreements gave Disney significant leverage over streaming bundle prices, limited competitors' ability to offer lower-cost alternatives and contributed to higher prices for consumers. — James Powel, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Adjective

The executives who absorbed the Freakonomics ethos learned to separate correlation from causation and to entertain alternative explanations before settling on the most convenient one. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Giavara stresses that the headstrong protagonists in both movies are named Mac (Mack in Migration) and are helped by an older mentor bird who introduces an alternative world view by encouraging freedom and exploration. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative

Noun

This affordable option packs a surprising amount of organizing power into one compact bag.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
If an island getaway is favored, there are plenty of options across the globe to choose from, all with pristine beaches and seaside charm.

— Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

North Field on Tinian, which was once the busiest airport in the world, was shut down after the war but is undergoing renovation to become an alternate base to Guam as Washington tries to disperse its assets around the region.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
With the facilities unavailable, Caltrans is encouraging travelers to plan ahead by identifying alternate places to stop for fuel, food, restroom breaks and rest before beginning their trip.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of alternate

Adjective

Ferdon detailed how the crypto currency exchange became one of the biggest brands in the emerging world of nontraditional finance and banking options.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 July 2026
Policies often fail to address tokenized assets and nontraditional trading activity, while surveillance systems still rely primarily on traditional broker and exchange data, leaving much of the decentralized and on-chain environment unmonitored.

— Kelvin Dickenson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of nontraditional

Noun

Miltos’ Greek Table at Andronis Luxury Suites is the Oia choice for travelers who want romance.

— Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Vic makes some baffling choices here, buzzing in twice on the first word in the series without hearing the rest, and getting eliminated from multiple rounds five seconds in.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Definition of choice

Adjective

Your unconventional ideas land better when people can experience them instead of only hearing about them.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
While seemingly an unconventional choice, Sandler, Swift and Kelce have been in each other's orbit for several years.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

At the committee hearing, Wahab said the bill is meant to increase transparency over the county’s discretionary funds by bolstering public oversight of the county’s money and adding new checks on how taxpayer funds get spent.

— Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
For years, my wife Holly's purchasing choices have served as a leading indicator for consumer discretionary spending trends.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of discretionary

Adjective

Inside, plans call for wet and dry research labs, teaching labs, collaboration areas, offices, instructional spaces and a 130‑space underground parking garage.

— Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Some experts — and Kennedy — argue that offering peptides through licensed compounding pharmacies would shrink this underground market and direct people toward safer products.

— Aria Bendix, NBC news, 30 June 2026

Definition of underground

Browse Nearby Words

alternating

alternative

alternatively

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“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of alternative

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to alternative

The History of 'Alt-'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on alternative

More from Merriam-Webster

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

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One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes